Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis titan with a record 24 Grand Slam titles, has long been a symbol of relentless dominance on the court. Yet, even legends falter, and in a candid moment of reflection, Djokovic recently admitted to a rare misstep in his storied career—one that his former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, vehemently opposed. As he prepares for the 2025 French Open, the 38-year-old world No. 1 revealed that his decision to kick off the 2024 season at the United Cup in Australia was a costly error, a choice that set the tone for a challenging year and one that Ivanisevic had cautioned against.
The 2024 season was an anomaly for Djokovic, who had grown accustomed to hoisting trophies with metronomic regularity. After a grueling 2023, where he clinched three Grand Slam titles and narrowly missed a calendar Grand Slam with a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, Djokovic opted to dive into the United Cup, a team event, rather than prioritizing rest. Ivanisevic, his coach from 2019 to 2024, urged him to take an extended break to recharge after an intense season. “There are moments when you think maybe I could have done this a little differently,” Djokovic admitted, his tone laced with introspection. “I committed too early to playing the start of the 2024 season. At that time, Goran Ivanisevic was my coach, and I remember that he didn’t agree with that decision.”
Ivanisevic, a former Wimbledon champion known for his blistering serve, believed Djokovic’s body and mind needed recovery rather than an early competitive return. “He wanted me to play something right before the Australian Open, but considering how intense the end of my season was, he was right,” Djokovic conceded. The decision to compete in the United Cup, which began in late December 2023, left him drained as he approached the Australian Open, where he aimed for an unprecedented 11th title. Instead, he suffered a stunning semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner, a four-set masterclass by the young Italian that ended Djokovic’s unbeaten streak in Melbourne since 2018. Reflecting on that loss, Djokovic pointed to mental fatigue and burnout as culprits. “That is one example of a decision which I could’ve made differently,” he noted.
The ripple effects of that choice lingered throughout 2024, a year that saw Djokovic struggle by his lofty standards. Despite capturing Olympic gold in Paris—a monumental achievement that completed his career Golden Slam—he faced earlier-than-usual exits in several tournaments. A shocking loss to Luca Nardi, ranked No. 123, at Indian Wells underscored his uncharacteristic vulnerability. The grueling schedule, compounded by the United Cup’s demands, seemed to sap the mental toughness that had defined his career. “I don’t know what happened in that semi-final in Australia,” Ivanisevic later remarked. “He wasn’t himself, and Sinner is too good to not come into the match at near 100 percent.”
Djokovic and Ivanisevic’s partnership, which began in 2018 and blossomed into one of tennis’s most successful player-coach duos, yielded 12 Grand Slam titles, including nine during Ivanisevic’s tenure as primary coach from 2022 to 2024. The Croatian’s expertise transformed Djokovic’s serve into a lethal weapon, boosting its speed and precision. Yet, their relationship wasn’t without turbulence. Known for his fiery on-court demeanor, Djokovic often directed frustrations at his team, a dynamic Ivanisevic accepted as part of coaching a perfectionist. “He’s not an easy guy,” Ivanisevic once said with a wry smile, acknowledging the intense pressure of working with a player who “only counts victories and Slams.”
Their split in March 2024, announced by Djokovic on social media, came after a string of disappointing results. While the parting was amicable—“our friendship was always rock solid,” Djokovic wrote—it marked a turning point. Ivanisevic, now coaching Stefanos Tsitsipas, reflected on their time together with pride, calling Djokovic “one of the greatest athletes of all time.” He also expressed optimism about Djokovic’s future, particularly his pursuit of another Olympic gold in 2028.
As Djokovic navigates the 2025 season, now under the guidance of Andy Murray, his admission of the United Cup misstep reveals a rare vulnerability. The French Open, where he faces stiff competition from Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, offers a chance to reclaim his dominance on clay. With a renewed focus on strategic rest and preparation, Djokovic is determined to learn from his 2024 miscalculation. “I believe that Novak will find motivation,” Ivanisevic said, a sentiment that echoes the resilience of a champion who continues to chase greatness, even after a rare stumble.
Leave a Reply